Apparatus for controlling flow of gases



Oct. 18, 1966 R. w. BLANTON, JR 3,279,094

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF GASES Filed March 18, 1963 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1/: un u. 1mm!!! [14 [III un Ill llll un llll Ill III! "A III III]! 0000000000000000 1 0 o o 0 0 0 o o 0 0 o o 0 0 0 0 3 .00 0o 0 o 0 0 o o 0 0 o o 0 INVENTOR.

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Affomgys Oct. 18, 1966 R. W- BLANTON, JR

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FLOW 0F GASES Filed March 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Roy W. Blantmdn United States Patent 3,279,094 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FLOW 0F GASES Roy W. Blanton, Jr., P.0. Box 703, Albany, Ga. Filed Mar. 18,1963, Ser. No. 265,677 2 Claims. (Cl. 34-233) This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the flow of gases and more particularly to such apparatus which shall be adapted to treat or dry a mass of materials, such as peanuts, uniformly.

An object of my invention is to provide apparatus for drying peanuts and the like in which substantially controlled amounts of drying gases are passed upwardly through all portions of the mass of peanuts or the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated in which the drying gases are introduced into a closed chamber subjacent a perforated drying chamber and means is provided to restrict the flow of the gases through the closed chamber whereby the pressure throughout the enclosed chamber is substantially equal to thereby cause equal amounts of the drying gas to flow laterally through the perforated wall into the drying chamber.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which may be readily adapted for use with conventional type drying apparatus for pea-nuts and the like.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, various types of drying equipment have been employed to dry peanuts and the like. However, such apparatus has been unsatisfactory due to the fact that a uniform flow of the drying gases is not obtained throughout the mass of peanuts. That is to say, in certain areas of the drying equipment, the peanuts are overdried or burned while in other areas the peanuts contain too much moisture whereby they cannot be stored without spoilage. It is essential that the peanuts be dried uniformly for the reason that if the peanuts are too dry they will not shell properly. On the other hand, if the peanuts contain too much moisture, the peanuts will deteriorate or spoil quickly after storage.

To provide a uniform flow of the drying gases throughout the entire mass of peanuts, I provide a plenum chamber subjacent a perforated wall which supports the peanuts and then provide baffle members in the plenum chamber which extend transversely of the direction of flow of the drying gases through the plenum chamber to define separate compartments. Openings are provided through the baffie members of a size for the drying gas to pass therethrough and control the pressure within the compartments whereby substantially equal amounts of drying gas pass laterally through all portions of a mass of materials to be dried.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the drying apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 1; l

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a graph indicating the pressure build-up in each of the individual compartments of the plenum chamber; and,

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a modified form of my invention.

V compartments 28,

3,279,094 Patented Oct. 18, 1966 ice Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a drying chamber 10 which may be rectangular, as viewed in plan. The drying chamber 10 is provided with vertical side walls 11, vertical end walls12 and a perforated bottom wall 13. The top of the drying chamber 10 may be left open, as shown, whereby the peanuts or the like to be dried may be introduced therein.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the side walls 11 extend beneath the perforated bottom wall 13 and the lower edges of the side walls 11 are connected to a second bottom wall 14 which is spaced from the perforated bottom wall 13 to define a plenum chamber therebetween. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the end wall 12 at one end of the apparatus extends beneath the perforated wall 13 and is secured to the bottom wall 14. The other end wall 12 terminates adjacent the perforated bottom wall 13 to provide a passageway 16 for receiving the drying gas which flows in the direction of the arrows 17. The drying gas is supplied to the passageway 16 through a suitable supply conduit 18 which may be attached to an inlet conduit 19 for the plenum chamber. A suitable resilient sealing member 21 is employed at the point of connection between the supply conduit 18 and the inlet conduit 19 to prevent the escape of the drying gas at this point.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drying chamber 10 and the plenum chamber associated therewith may be supported by wheels 22 whereby the apparatus and the peanuts dried therein may be transported from place to place. The peanuts may be introduced into the drying chamber 10 or removed therefrom by conventional means well understood in the art.

It is well known that in the steady flow of a fluid, the pressure is least where the velocity is greatest. Accordingly, after the drying gas is introduced through the passageway 16 into the plenum chamber, the velocity of the gas would decrease as it moved toward the opposite end of the plenum chamber. It will thus be seen that the static pressure within the plenum chamber adjacent the inlet conduit 19 would be less than the static pressure adjacent the opposite end of the plenum chamber. That is, the static pressure would gradually increase from the point of introduction into the plenum chamber until it reached the opposite end thereof, as indicated by the graph 23 in FIG. 5 of the drawings. It thus follows that without any restriction-s in the plenum chamber, less drying gas would be forced upwardly through the perforated wall 13 adjacent the inlet conduit 19 than would be forced upwardly through the perforated wall adjacent the opposite end thereof.

To provide a substantially uniform static pressure throughout the entire plenum chamber, I mount bafile members 24, 26 and 27 in the plenum chamber in position to extend transversely of the direction of flow of the drying gas. That is, where the perforated wall 13 extends in a horizontal plane, the baffle members would extend in a vertical plane, as shown in FIG. 1. The baffle members 24, 26 and 27 thus define separate compartments 28, 29, 31 and 32 which are positioned longitudinally of the drying chamber 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of openings 33 are provided in the baffie member 24 whereby the drying gas is free to pass therethrough into the adjacent compartment 29. In like manner, the bafile members 26 and 27 are provided with openings 34 and 36, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In order to provide a uniform pressure within each of the 29, 31 and 32, I vary the amount of openings provided in the baflle members. That is, the percentage of the total area of each baflle member openings is progressively smaller in the direction of gas flow. Accordingly, there is no constant build-up of pressure within the plenum chamber as the drying gas moves along the same, Instead, the pressure within the compartments 28, 29, 31 and 32 is indicated by the graph or lines 37, 38, 39 and 41, respectively.

Due to the fact that the pressure increases as the .velocity decreases, the provision of the bafiie members 24, 26 and 27. reduces the pressure at the location of-each bafiie member. The pressure will then increase again since the fluid is being bled off and the velocity is decreasing. Accordingly, by providing ,a plurality 'of baffie members, the pressure in the compartments 28,29, 31 and 32 is substantially uniform. This uniform pressure within the various'compartments brings about a uniform later flow of the drying gas through the perforated bottom wall 13.

The pressure drop may be produced by providing the openings 33, 34 and 36 in the bafile members or a perforated metal screen or the like may be employed. In actual practice, I have found that with a plenum chamber 42 inches wide, 8 inches deep and 14 feetlong, the three baffle members 24, 26 and 27 should be employed. Bafile member 24 is poistioned approximately 2 feet from the inlet conduit 19 While the baffie members 26 and 27 are positioned substantially 6 feet and feet, respectively, from the inlet conduit 19. With this specific Drying air is introduced into the annular plenum chamber defined between the Walls -13 and. 14*- by an inlet conduit.49.-

Mounted !within the plenum chamber are annular bafile members 24*, 26 27 and 30. The bafll'e members 24 26 and 27 are provided with openings 33, 34 and 36 respectively, which correspond generally to the openings 33, 34 and 36 employed in the transverse baffle members 24, 26 and .27. The battle member130 is also provided with openings 30*. It will thus be, seen that the baflle members 24, 26 27 and 30 divide the annular plenum chamber into separate compartments. The percentage of the total area of each bafile member 24 26 27 and 30 which is in the form of openings is progressively smaller toward. the upper end. ofthe plenum chamber. That is, the baffle member. 24 would plenum chamber and baflle member arrangement, I find that the percentage of the total area of the bafiie member 24 being openings should be approximately 77%. The openings 34 and 36 in the bafile members 26 and 27, respectively, are progressively smaller whereby the percentage of the total area of the bafile member 26 being openings is approximately 64% and the percentage of the total area of the bafiie member 27 being openings is approximaely 44%. It will thus be seen that there is a pressure drop at the location of each of the bafile members 24, 26 and 27, as indicated in FIG. 5 by the vertical lines 42, 43 and 44, respectively.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus shown in FIGS. 14 will be readily understood. The peanuts or the like to be dried are introduced into the drying chamber 10 and the supply conduit 18 is connected to the inlet conduit 19 whereby the hot drying gas is introduced into the plenum chamber through the passageway 16. As the velocity of the drying gas decreases, the pressure increases as shown by the portion 37 of the graph 23. As the reduced gases pass through. the orifices or openings 33, the velocity increases whereby there is a decrease in pressure, as indicated by the line 42 in FIG. 5. After the gases pass through the openings 33, the velocity again decreases and the pressure then increases as indicated by the line 38, until the drying gas passes through the openings 34 in the balfie member 26. This brings about an increase in velocity whereby there is a decrease in pressure as indicated by the line 43. The pressure again increases in compartment 31 as the velocity decreases, as indicated by the line 39, until the drying gases pass through the openings 36 in the bafile member, 27 whereupon there is an increase in velocity and decrease in pressure as indicated by the line 44. It will thus be seen that the average pressure in each of the compartments 28, 29, 31 and 32 is substantially equal whereby uniform amounts of the drying gas pass upwardly through all portions of-the perforated wall 13.

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, I show a modified form of my invention in which the peanutsor the like indicated at P are supported by a perforated wall 13 of a dryingchamber indicated generally at 10. Instead of the perforated wall 13* extending in a horizontal plane, it converges toward the lower end thereof to define a frustum of a cone. Spaced from the under surface of the perforated Wall 13 is a second downwardly converging wall 14 which defines an annular plenum chamber therebetween.

The peanuts or the like are introduced into the drying mass of peanuts, the peanuts have a larger percentage of openings and the other baffle members would have progressively less openings therein.

To provide substantially the same amount of total volume in each compartment defined between the. battle members 24 26 27. and 30,the bottom wall 14* may extend inwardly toward the upper end of the perforated bottom wall 13, as shown. Also, the bafile members may be positioned progressively closer to each other toward the top of the plenum chamber.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the operation of .the'apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4. That is, the hot drying gases are introduced through the inlet conduit 48 whereupon they pass through the passageways 33 34 36 size openings in the baffle members the drying gasesmove laterally and uniformly through the perforated wall 13 into the mass of peanuts P within the drying chamber 10*. The amount of drying gases passing through the mass of peanuts is smaller adjacent the upper end of the plenum chamber whereby the peanuts are dried uniformly. That is, since the mass of peanuts is greater adjacent the lower end of. the plenum chamber,the pressure within the plenum chamber should be greater. ad-

jacent the lower end thereof. Accordingly, the pressure 1 for controlling .the pressure throughout the entire length of the plenum chamber, my improved apparatus may. be. associated with conventional type drying equipment with a minimum of'cost and labor. Furthermore, by provid-.

mg uniform flowrof the drying out whereby there are no burnt areas or areas having excess moisture therein.

While I have shown my invention in two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is notso limited, but is susceptible of various other changes, and. modifications without departing from the spirit thereof,"

and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

and 30*. By providing the proper:

gas throughout the entire are dried evenlythrough What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for drying peanuts and the like comprising:

(a) a drying chamber having a downwardly converging perforated bottom wall,

(b) a second downwardly converging wall spaced below said perforated wall to define a plenum chamber therebetween,

(c) means to supply a drying gas adjacent the lower end of said plenum chamber whereby the gas passing through said plenum chamber flows laterally through said perforated wall into said drying chamber,

(d) baflle members Within said plenum chamber extending transversely of the direction of flow of said gas through the plenum chamber and dividing said plenum chamber into separate compartments, and

(e) there being openings through said bafiie members of a size for said gas to pass therethrough and maintain a progressively decreased static pressure within each of said compartments in the direction of gas flow in response to supplying gas at a constant pressure whereby progressively smaller amounts of drying gas pass laterally through said perforated wall toward the upper end of said drying chamber.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the downwardly converging walls and the baflle members are po- 5 sitioned relative to each other to provide compartments which are substantially equal in volume.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FREDERICK L. MATTESON, 111., Primary Examiner.

NORMAN YUDKOFF, WILLIAM F. ODEA,

Examiners.

J. P. ROBINSON, A. D. HERRMANN,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. APPARATUS FOR DRYING PEANUTS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING: (A) A DRYING CHAMBER HAVING A DOWNWARDLY CONVERGING PERFORATED BOTTOM WALL, (B) A SECOND DOWNWARDLY CONVERGING WALLS SPACED BELOW SAID PERFORATED WALL TO DEFINE A PLENUM CHAMBER THEREBETWEEN, (C) MEANS TO SUPPLY A DRYING GAS ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF SAID PLENUM CHAMBER WHEREBY THE GAS PASSING THROUGH SAID PLENUM CHAMBER FLOWS LATERALLY THROUGH SAID PERFORATED WALL INTO SAID DRYING CHAMBER, (D) BAFFLE MEMBERS WITHIN SAID PLENUM CHAMBER EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE DIRECTION OF FLOW OF SAID GAS THROUGH THE PLENUM CHAMBER AND DIVIDING SAID PLENUM CHAMBER INTO SEPARATE COMPARTMENTS, AND (E) THERE BEING OPENINGS THROUGH SAID BAFFLE MEMBERS OF A SIZE FOR SAID GAS TO PASS THERETHROUGH AND MAINTAIN A PROGRESSIVELY DECREASED STATIC PRESSURE WITHIN EACH OF SAID COMPARTMENTS IN THE DIRECTION OF GAS FLOW IN RESPONSE TO SUPPLYING GAS AT A CONSTANT PRESSURE WHEREBY PROGRESSIVELY SMALLER AMOUNTS OF DRYING GAS PASS LATERALLY THROUGH SAID PERFORATED WALL TOWARD THE UPPER END OF SAID DRYING CHAMBER. 